Steve Cooper’s starting lineup may not alter when all of Leicester City’s players recover from their significant injuries, but his bench will most likely
Leicester City would like to continue their season without being overtaken by injuries.
As the season is halfway through, none of the strong candidates for a spot in Steve Cooper’s starting lineup have encountered any issues. Just in time, Jamie Vardy recovered from a preseason injury, and Jannik Vestergaard, who had been benched for Caleb Okoli due to an ankle problem, is now back in the running.
There are currently just three players out of action for City. But the matchday squad as a whole might alter upon their return, even though the starting 11 might not.
Jakub Stolarczyk broke his foot during the first week of the preseason in July, and it will take him four to six weeks to get back. Cooper’s current position in the goalkeeping hierarchy is unknown due to the Pole’s early injury, but it is assumed that he will replace Danny Ward on the bench and take over as Mads Hermansen’s deputy once more, as he did the previous campaign.
Patson Daka, who had a catastrophic ankle injury in the final preseason game, is in a similar scenario. He is still a long way from getting back to full training, let alone games, but at least he is back on the field. He did participate in the preseason, but that was prior to Odsonne Edouard’s arrival and during Vardy’s injury.
Cooper seemed to like the Zambian, though, and if he recovers fully, he might replace Vardy on the bench. Edouard has only had a few little chances to shine thus far, but he hasn’t been able to do so. If Daka picks up the pace quickly, Edouard might be the striker chosen for the bench.
Many things about Hamza Choudhury are unknown. It was necessary for his dislocated shoulder to stabilise before a thorough examination was performed. At best, he might just be sidelined for a few more weeks. It can take several months before he is seen again if the issue is serious.
Anticipate his return to the bench sooner rather than later if he recovers rapidly. The starting four in central midfield are Wilfred Ndidi, Oliver Skipp, and Harry Winks, but Choudhury appears to be ahead of Boubakary Soumare in the standings, so the academy graduate is probably going to return as soon as he is healthy.
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